Lake County, Gary-A semi driver lost part of his load this afternoon when he braked to avoid another semi causing all travel lanes west bound on I-80 just west of Burr Street to be closed.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Brian White revealed that at approximately 1:28 p.m., a 2006 Volvo semi pulling a covered flat bed, driven by Philip Johnson, 50 of Haviland, Ohio, was west bound on I-80 in the left center lane when another semi pulled out in front of him from the right center lane. This caused Johnson to brake sharply which caused his load of 46,641 pounds of aluminum sheeting to shift and slide forward. Johnson’s load came loose and approximately ¼ of the aluminum was strewn across all west bound travel lanes.

Johnson was not injured and no other vehicles hit the aluminum. Traffic was able to get by on both shoulders until approximately 2:30 p.m. when the three left lanes were reopened. All lanes were reopened at 3:00 p.m.

The semi was owned by J. Trans Incorporated out of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

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